Why a Pre-Employment Background Check is Important

National unemployment in the United States was at 4.1% in March 2018. But, while there are plenty of candidates that could suit the position your company is offering, who is the right fit for the job?

Well, the only way to find out is to get to know your candidates.

Resumes are great. Interviews are too. But, don’t you want to know what is hidden behind the firm handshakes and professional documents?

If so, you may want to consider a pre-employment background check.

Read on to find more about why background checks are important in the workplace.

Hiring the Best Person for the Job

The main purpose of background checks is to hire the person that is most qualified for the job you are advertising.

You want someone that has the skills to make your company thrive.

There are people that claim to have qualifications they don’t. Whether these are college or other professional degrees, you need to be sure that you have a team with all the right skills to get the job done.

Protecting Your Company and Employees

Another reason to undertake a background check before the interview is to ensure the safety of your company and current employees.

As an employer, you’ve promised your teams a safe workplace. To ensure this, you have to know who you are hiring.

Some people may not be a good fit for the position because of their backgrounds.

For example, someone with a history of drug abuse wouldn’t be a good option for a position in a hospital. The same as some ex-criminals wouldn’t be a good fit for a security position.

If you want to undertake a simple online public records search, simply view here.

Encouraging Transparency In the Hiring Process

To create long-lasting relationships with your employees, you must be as transparent as possible from the get-go. It’s also important that they are too.

By knowing everything about one another on a professional level, you can be sure you’re hiring the right person.

The best way to do this is to undertake a background check.

Checking a Person’s Reputation and Morales

Aside from checking for criminal records, a background check can tell you more about a person’s reputation and morales.

By looking into a person, you can find out what they post on their web pages and social media profiles.

While everyone is entitled to a personal life, do you want to hire someone that is politically or socially incorrect? Or posts distasteful content on the internet?

In some industries, it’s absolutely fine. In others, it can affect your company’s reputation.

Are There Legal Issues When It Comes to Background Checks?

The quick answer is yes. To access a person’s credit or medical history, you need their consent.

The purpose of background checks is to find out more about your applicants. All your checks must, therefore, be consistent.

If applicants feel like you are discriminating them, you could face a lawsuit.

When hiring new team members, seek legal counsel so that you know what you can and cannot do.

Find the Best Company to Undertake a Pre-Employment Background Check on Your Candidates

Some businesses don’t undertake a pre-employment background check on their candidates because of the extra costs. But, hiring the wrong candidate can cost you more money in the long run.

To find out more about how to hire the best employees, visit our business resources section. In it, you’ll find out everything you need to know about running a business and creating the best teams to help your company thrive.